BARBETS. 



419 



cles remain separate, nofr anchylosing into a single furculum. Their bills are small 

 compared with those of the toucans, but are stout, somewhat conic, broad at the base, 

 and more or less compressed towards the tip. In some of the larger species the bill 

 shows some tendency towards the toucans, in being large and serrated along the edges. 

 The tongue is usually long and thin, but simple, though in some large species it is 

 slightly barbed. The name barbet is derived from the large and strong bristles which 

 in most forms are inserted at the base of the bill, and often are so long as to reach con- 

 siderably beyond the tip. They are, on the whole, small birds, ranging in size from 



FIG. 209. Megalaima hcemacephala, crimson-breasted barbet. 



that of a flicker to that of a sparrow. They are of a rather stout and clumsy build, 

 with big heads, and few of them present any graceful appearance. The coloration is 

 in most cases very gorgeous, but the juxtaposition of the colors is often such as to 

 produce a tasteless effect. Sky-blue, light green, and yellow are sometimes found com- 

 bined with red and other colors in such a manner as to annoy an eye accustomed to 

 harmony in colors. 



The geographical distribution of the barbets has given rise to much speculation. 

 They inhabit the tropical forest zone of both hemispheres, though wanting entirely in 

 Australia. They are represented most poorly in the Neotropical region, notwithstand- 



